ArtsPerforming Arts

@ the Symphony

WQED Multimedia

Insights and anecdotes from musicians, dancers, artists, actors and directors, as well as audience response.

Play

Open in

40 episodes
Avg 16 min
English

Episodes 40

Newest Oldest Longest

All20 Unplayed20 In progress0 Played0

Counted on this page — what you have heard stays on this device, so it is not something the list can be paged by.

#244
October 22 · 19 min
Pianist Inon Barnatan
Pianist Inon Barnatan returns to Heinz Hall the weekend of October 23, 2026 with three performances including one at Indiana University of Pennsylvania playing the Beethoven Second Piano Concerto. He spoke with Jim Cunningham in his dressing room about the delights of the concerto and how much he enjoys working with Karina Canellakis who is making her debut with this program. Barnatan talked about his chamber music festival north of San Diego in La Jolla, California and the new 500-seat Hall w
#243
October 19 · 16 min
Rhian Kenny and Sarah Clendenning - Musicians of Steel 5K Run
The 10th Annual Musicians of Steel 5K Run/Walk, a charity race organized by the Musicians of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, takes place on Saturday October 24th at Millvale Riverfront Park. Runners will be serenaded at the start line by the world-class musicians of the PSO in addition to local musicians along the course! Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra Principal Piccolo Rhian Kenny and violinist Sarah Clendenning stopped by the QED Morning Show to talk to Jim Cunningham about the race. Tick
#242
October 16 · 14 min
Cellist Alisa Weilerstein
Cellist Alisa Weilerstein returned to Heinz Hall October 16, 2026 and Sunday October 18 to play the Prokofiev Sinfonia Concertante with guest conductor Juraj Valcuha and the Pittsburgh Symphony. She tells Jim Cunningham about the special features of the music written for Mstislav Rostropovich and how she fell in love listening to it on the radio at age 14. She is on a huge tour this season traveling across several continents with concertos and her Fragments program which has been part of sever
#241
October 8 · 24 min
Noah Bendix Balgley
Former Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra Concertmaster, Noah Bendix Balgley, has been 12 years in Berlin at the Philharmonic and now has his Fidl Fantazye Klezmer Concerto available from all the major streaming services. Noah plays violin and directs members of the Philharmonic. In this October 8, 2026 conversation with Jim Cunningham, he talks about the history of the concerto which began in Pittsburgh. He spoke just hours before opening night at Carnegie Hall with the Berlin Philharmonic and con
#240
October 3 · 31 min
Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra Live Broadcast Interviews - 10/2/26
On Friday October 2, 2026, WQED-FM broadcast the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra's season opening concert live from Heinz Hall. Led by Music Director Manfred Honeck, the orchestra played "Masquerade" by Anna Clyne and Mendelssohn's Symphony No. 4, "Italian." Kirill Gerstein returned to play the Brahms Piano Concerto No. 2. WQED President and CEO Jason Jedlinski and former PSO Board Member and Chair Emerita of the WQED Board Millie Myers spoke with Jim Cunningham prior to the concert. Jason spok
#239
September 26 · 16 min
Lang Lang
Piano superstar Lang Lang - just after his rehearsal of the Beethoven Emperor Concerto at Heinz Hall with the Pittsburgh Symphony - shares his thoughts about the Beethoven Fifth Concerto with Jim Cunningham. He loves working with Pittsburgh, having played big evenings with Mariss Jansons and Manfred Honeck on tour and at home. He wants the novice and the super fan to enjoy the start of the season. He plans on listening to the first half of the concert for Chick Corea who he has played with and e
#238
September 14 · 6 min
Mary Persin in Vienna
The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra closed out their 2026 European Tour in Vienna with the 2nd of two concerts at the Konzerthaus on September 10, 2026. WQED-FM's Jim Cunningham spoke with Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra's Vice-President of Artistic Planning during intermission to talk about the tour. She talks about the great repertoire on the tour; the audience reaction to the PSO concerts; how festivals are asking for the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra; and how it's special to end the tour in Vi
#237
September 14 · 11 min
Anne-Sophie Mutter
Anne-Sophie Mutter played twice on the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra's 2026 European Tour - in Lucerne and in Cologne - playing the Penderecki Metamorphosen, Violin Concerto No. 2. The piece was written for her by Penderecki with him Anne-Sophie had a close friendship. WQED-FM's Jim Cunningham sat down with Anne-Sophie to talk about the concerto and lots more. She says the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra is her favorite American orchestra. She recalls some Andre Previn memories; working with H
#236
September 14 · 11 min
Robin Meloy Goldsby
Robin Meloy Goldsby grew up in Pittsburgh and her father played percussion on Mister Rogers' Neighborhood. She studied at Chatham College and now lives in Cologne, Germany playing piano at the Excelsior Hotel Ernst. WQED-FM's Jim Cunningham stopped by the hotel to talk to Robin about her father; growing up in Pittsburgh; stories about her teacher Henry Spinelli; new books and CDs she's made; and the joy of seeing Manfred Honeck when he stops by when the orchestra is in Cologne!
#235
September 14 · 17 min
Anne Martindale Williams
Principal Cello Anne Martindale Williams was hired by William Steinberg and made Principal by Andre Previn. After 50 years, she's retiring from the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra after the recently concluded European Tour. WQED-FM's Jim Cunningham had a conversation with Anne in Essen Germany about her extraordinary career; her past tour experiences; her plans for retirement and much more.
#234
September 11 · 11 min
PSO Tour Report - Morning - September 11, 2026
The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra heads home from their 2026 European Tour after playing their final concert at the Vienna Konzerthaus last night. WQED-FM's Jim Cunningham managed to interview several people about the last concert and the tour in particular. He spoke with Francisco Joubert Bernard – Second Bassoonist of the Louisville Orchestra and will be with the PSO in the 2026-2027 Season; guest pianist Alexandre Kantorow; Mary Persin – Vice President of Artistic Planning of the Pittsburg
#233
September 10 · 9 min
PSO Tour Report - Afternoon - September 10, 2026
That's a wrap! The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra played their final concert of the 2026 European Tour tonight at the Konzerthaus in Vienna, Austria. Manfred Honeck conducted the Shostakovich Symphony No. 5 and Alexandre Kantorow played the Brahms Piano Concerto No. 1. WQED-FM's Jim Cunningham called in with a live report after the concert where he said the audience reaction was tremendous. He also spoke with PSO Concertmaster David McCarroll in Essen, Germany to get his thoughts on the t
#231
September 9 · 10 min
PSO Tour Report - Afternoon - September 9, 2026
The end is near for the 2026 European Tour as the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra plays their final two concerts at the Konzerhaus in Vienna, Austria - Music Director Manfred Honeck's home country. It was a busy day as the orchestra travelled from Essen to Dortmund to Vienna this morning and then gave their first concert tonight, which was then followed by some special chamber music performances afterwards. WQED-FM's Jim Cunningham called in live with a report on the day, including the rousing
#230
September 9 · 7 min
PSO Tour Report - Morning - September 9, 2026
Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra Principal Cello Anne Martindale Williams has been with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra for 50 years. This current European Tour is her last as she is retiring at the conclusion of the tour. WQED-FM's Jim Cunningham spoke with Anne in Essen, Germany about her tremendous career; her thoughts on the current tour; how she won't be putting the cello away as she will still be teaching; and memories of previous tours, including a memorable interaction with a child when
#229
September 8 · 12 min
PSO Tour Report - Afternoon - September 8, 2026
WQED-FM's Jim Cunningham checks in live from Essen, Germany after the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra played at the Philharmonie. Jim talks about the enthusiastic response from the sold out audience for their program of John Adams' Short Ride in a Fast Machine; Dvorak Symphony No. 9, and Rachmaninoff's Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, with Alexandre Kantorow. Manfred Honeck conducted two encores. You also hear Jim's interview with Anne-Sophie Mutter in Lucerne, who played the Penderecki — Meta
#228
September 8 · 7 min
PSO Tour Report - Morning - September 8, 2026
WQED-FM's Jim Cunningham spoke to some concertgoers who saw the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra's performance at the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam on September 7, 2026. He spoke with PSO Board Member Bill Rackoff and his wife Nancy; Stefanie Pashman, CEO of Allegheny Conference on Community Development; Paul Severns, who was a former employee of PPG and now lives in Amsterdam; and Christopher Wu, retired PSO Violinist who is playing with the orchestra on this tour.
#227
September 7 · 14 min
PSO Tour Report - Afternoon - September 7, 2026
The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra had just concluded it's concert at the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam when WQED-FM's Jim Cunningham called in for a post-concert report. He was joined by PSO Principal Contrabassoon Jim Rodgers who talked about the acoustics of the hall, and the reaction of the audience to a mostly American concert program; seeing Carlos Simon, the composer of Four Black American Dances, being at the concert to take a bow after the orchestra played his piece. We also heard Jim's c
#226
September 7 · 8 min
PSO Tour Report - Morning - September 7, 2026
The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra arrives in Amsterdam to play a concert at the famous Concertgebouw. Manfred Honeck will conduct Dvorak's Symphony No. 9 and Four Black American Dances by Carlos Simon. Augustin Hadelich will play the Barber Violin Concerto. WQED-FM's Jim Cunningham called in to the QED morning show from Amsterdam with former Pittsburgher and now Amsterdam resident Albert Manders who will be attending the concert. We also hear Jim's interview with Neil Berntsen who is retir
#223
September 6 · 5 min
PSO Tour Report - Sunday September 6, 2026
The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra plays at the famed Concertgebouw in Amsterdam on Monday September 7th. Pittsburgher Albert Manders has lived in Amsterdam for many years. He spoke with Jim Cunningham about the hall, the acoustics, the unique way for the conductor to get on stage, and much more.
#225
September 5 · 11 min
PSO Tour Report - Saturday September 5, 2026
The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra had a well deserved off day in Lucerne after performing 2 concerts at the Kultur & Kongresszentrum. WQED-FM's Jim Cunningham called in with a live report to talk about the 2nd concert featuring Anne-Sophie Mutter. He managed to get an interview with her which will be heard on a later tour report. He also mentioned seeing many concert goers in formal dress for the concert. The report also features an interview with former Assistant Concertmaster Mark Huggins,

Showing 1–20 of 40 episodes